Tank Commanders Break Gender Barriers
Today, four women officially finished tank commanders course and became the IDF’s first female tank commanders. After 16 weeks of hard training in the 460 Brigade they successfully completed the course. “We can say after a year and four months that an armored combat team can carry out operational duties in the Border Defense Array under the command of a female tank commander,” said Brigadier General Guy Hasson, Head of the Armored Corps.
28.06.18
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The Armored Corps’ pilot program began in July 2017. Its purpose was to examine whether or not women could be integrated as tank combat soldiers into the Border Defense Array. The selection process was based on medical data, the soldiers’ motivation, former commanders’ opinions, and personal interviews. Finally a committee held a hearing to select 30 female combat soldiers who would be sent to the next screening stage where additional interviews would take place. At the end of the process, female combat soldiers were selected in order to participate in this historic program.
Sergent Noga
Sergeant Noga, started out in the Bardelas Battalion and is now one of the first women to finish tank commanders course. “It's a role that includes very interesting and challenging training. Furthermore, it is a one-of-a-kind role for women and opens a new window of opportunities for a job in which women can partake.”
After more than six months of training, the combat soldiers began working in the Sagi Brigade, under the Caracal Battalion, with a special platoon commander. The combat soldiers selected for the commanders course carried out operational work for a month and a half, while the rest of the combat soldiers continued in their operational assignments for six months. "There are additional operational values that we can achieve in the Border Defense Array and in the Armored Corps with these combat soldiers. “The training stage was defined as a success, both in terms of the training itself and the operational aspect, and all the targets set for the combat soldiers were achieved,” said Brig. Gen. Hasson.
Sergeant Shiran
Sergeant Shiran began her service in the Caracal Battalion: "Camaraderie is the most important thing in the tank. I will never forget my time in the course, when I was with my crew 24/7. We never gave up. Without the girls, the entire experience could have been different for me.”
In the Armored Corps training, five of the 15 soldiers were found to be fit for the commanders course. "The four remaining soldiers are amazing young women, professional and determined," said Brig. Gen. Hasson. "I met them personally, heard what they had to say. Being a pioneer is not an easy thing."
Their training consisted of eight weeks of basic training, six weeks of training at the Shizafon Base, 14 weeks of advanced training, and a course that was similar to that of combat soldiers. They learned about tactical intelligence, combat operations, training, and more.
Sergeant Charlotte
Sergeant Charlotte began her service in the Caracal Battalion. “I believe that the IDF should give greater responsibility to women in all fields, even though they are physically different than men.”
"We did not give up on them, we did not settle for anything less than the best and they know that," said Brig. Gen. Hasson. "We have to give them credit, they did it like real combat soldiers."
Sergeant Osnat
Sergeant Osnat began her service in the Caracal Battalion. Osnat's grandfather was a sergeant in the 7th Brigade, during the establishment of the State of Israel. “It’s such an interesting and meaningful service that not everyone has the chance to experience.”
